hi all feeling very depressed after my yearly argument with my gp about reducing my levothyroxine
I eventually gave in and reduced to 125 micro instead of 150 micro last October my recent blood tests show they are all within the (range ) I hate that word, but as I expected my hypothyroid symptoms are kicking in again so I’ve now been referred to an endocrinologist so I’m guessing I’ll be waiting a few months for that, but my gp has now referred me to a diabetic prevention clinic as I’m now pre diabetic due to the extra weight gain due to the reduction of levo and a blood test that showed an increase in Hba1c (42 mol) which I have not got a clue about, I have asked at the surgery if the thyroid issues and diabetes are connected in some way and have been told no. Can anyone shed any light on this for me many thanks.
Written by
Tatty10
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Yes, they are connected. Just like thyroid and cholesterol are connected, and many more issues. Just google hypothyroidism and diabetes. "Hypothyroidism may result in a reduced metabolic rate, insulin resistance, obesity, and various cardiovascular risk factors, potentially facilitating the incidence of type 2 diabetes" Unfortunately gps don't have a clue, and the endos like to treat just one thing at a time. I'm sorry this is happening to you. How are your ft4 and ft3 levels?
My weight in October was 80 kilograms and I’m now 87.5 kilograms and my height is 5 ft 6
Weight at 80 kilo
Guidelines suggest 128mcg per day
Weight at 87 kilo
Guidelines suggest 140mcg per day
But that relies on always taking levothyroxine correctly and for many people always taking same brand of levothyroxine at each prescription
Levothyroxine is an extremely fussy hormone and should always be taken on an empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after
No other medication or supplements at same as Levothyroxine, leave at least 2 hour gap.
Some like iron, calcium, magnesium, HRT, omeprazole or vitamin D should be four hours away
(Time gap doesn't apply to Vitamin D mouth spray)
Many people take Levothyroxine soon after waking, but it may be more convenient and perhaps more effective taken at bedtime
If you normally take levothyroxine at bedtime/in night ...adjust timings as follows prior to blood test
If testing Monday morning, delay Saturday evening dose levothyroxine until Sunday morning. Delay Sunday evening dose levothyroxine until after blood test on Monday morning. Take Monday evening dose levothyroxine as per normal
ESSENTIAL to maintain GOOD vitamin levels
Test folate, B12 and ferritin at least annually
Test vitamin D twice yearly
Many (most?) on levothyroxine find they need to supplement vitamin D, magnesium, vitamin B complex continuously
Significant numbers need separate B12 as well initially
And lots struggle to maintain good iron /ferritin levels
would suspect your vitamin levels are poor or deficient with such low Ft3 levels
Low Ft3 leads to low stomach acid. Low stomach acid levels lead to poor digestion and poor nutrient absorption
Hello there , just to say I feel so sorry for you and all you're going through because of the miss management of your problems from GP's. It's infuriating.I have hypothyroidism for what is almost a life time now.
I became pre diabetic during lock down. Stress, fear, lack of exercise, no focus on myself, food , weight gain.
My bloods said 42 and should be no more than 41. Told to see diabetic nurse. I didn't.
I helped myself.
Anyway during the pandemic, I got my bloods from 42 to 39 by having a keto diet and fasting from my last meal 16 hours which included my sleeping hours. It dropped in no time. Low carb and fasting was the key to allowing my fat cells to burn off. It worked for me and I dropped 4 stone. I was a size 18 and now im a size 12.
It was fear that made me take a hold of myself. It was enough having hypothyroidism. I had a chance with pre diabetes to fix it. So I put the effort in for my health sake and my mind sake.
Hi thanks for replying I really don’t think I can do anything else to lower my weight I eat a very healthy balanced diet don’t smoke or drink and do daily exercise I feel if my thyroid was properly controlled then I can lose weight but I get told all the time that my results are within range and they have to follow the science,
I understand, but you can have no sugar and have low cards and fast if you feel you'd like to try. Im sure you know already, it's not about being in range with thyroid meds ,its what is optimal for you. And you need all your essential vitamins and minerals optimal . Glad you're in good hands here, People amazing here.
Yes I’m certainly going to give it a try to be honest ill try anything
I had a Thyroidectomy almost 11 years ago and have had a constant battle since then with my levothyroxine prescription. The problem I have I find it all so overwhelming and difficult to understand all the medical terms it’s all like a foreign language to me.
I'm sorry, that's alot to have gone through and affects your health and life in everyway. I have Hashimotos, mine just burnt out after pregnancy with episodes of hyperthyroidism then it would leave me more and more hypo. It's well done for now.
But with the pre diabetes I was grateful I could have a chance to stop it from progressing with my food and keeping active as possible.
It's all overwhelming I know. I'm tierd of the lot of it too.
I keep pushing because I'm not getting really ill again for no unhelpful gp or endo. Ref range watching.
And it is hard to understand everything that's medical. But right here you're in a great place. They're the best to help you and youll learn so much here xx
Hypo weight-gain has little to do with your diet or exercise level. In fact, too much exercise can have the opposite effect. So, with your levels I would cut out the exercise, if I were you.
And, no low calorie diets! And be careful with the fasting. You need calories to convert T4 to T3. If you don't get enough, your conversion will suffer and you'll become more hypo - which means you will put on even more weight!
And don't cut out carbs completely because you also need carbs to convert.
In any case, I doubt if your weight-gain is fat, it's far more likely to be water retention, so no dieting or exercising in the world is going to have any effect on that. What you need are optimal levels of thyroid hormones, as you know but your doctor doesn't!
they have to follow the science,
But they're not following the science. lol Where within the science does it tell them they have to keep the TSH in range? There is a load of science telling that doesn't matter, it's the FT3 that is most important. It's low T3 that makes you hypo and high T3 that makes you hyper. Nothing to do with the TSH, the TSH just follows the levels of the thyroid hormone - to a certain extent. But once it gets below 1 it is a very bad indicator of thyroid status. That's the science. Your doctor hasn't a clue what he's talking about.
If I were you, I'd buy my own levo and put my dose back up to the way it was when you were well. It can be done. Ask in a new post for links to reputable on-line sellers, answer by PM only. And avoid all doctors in future! They only make you ill.
Thank you for help and advice which make a lot more sense than the rubbish I’m been told by the medical profession I do have a stash of levo and it’s easily purchased over the counter in Spain for a couple of Euros. Why on earth do the doctors only refer the TSH results and then they decide that you’re fit and well that question keeps buzzing round in my head.
Because that's what they're taught in med school. And most of them don't have the wit to realise it's totally illogical and just doesn't work. I've found the majority of doctors to be pretty dumb.
So, if you're in Spain, and you can get levo OTC, there's no problem, is there. Just put your dose back up to where you feel comfortable. Because that's what it's all about, feeling well. Not getting a pituitary hormone into a rediculous range.
Are you menopausal? This definitely has a huge weight issues when you have no thyroid…. This is why my weight has skyrocketed surgical menopause and thyroidectomy = a nightmare at least for me.
I am about 41 or 42, but when first diagnosed hypo I was at the top end is it 47. It is prediabetic though.I would be happyish at 41 so watch with interest others comments as to whether 41 is a worry?
I tied myself in knots tracking blood sugar level with finger prick tests before I learned that there is quite a natural rise in blood sugar every morning. I was doing tests in the morning but seemed to drift later in doing it and the levels would then rise.
The HBA1C is the best test as it is long term to show if it is improving.
I now confident blood sugar levels do not spike too high from finger prick tests. I think it is time while bs is high that damages us.
You can get real time sensors now that track for several weeks but I did not feel the need.
I think keto /low carb is not recommended for hypo peeps. I would like to go on this,as I did it some years ago and liked it.
We might br best asking this as a separate post anyway.
I am not a big sugar eater these days but need rice as a staple.
Well Tatty they told you wrong sugar and hypo are connected … Im also struggling to keep my sugar down 7 years after losing my thyroid and I have had nothing but one health issue after the other with this thyroidectomy and all the doctors see is your thyroid is “in range”…. I regret it everyday!
Hi I’m 69 so well passed the menopause 😬 I also have had one health issue after another since having my thyroid removed I had no idea the control the thyroid has over our bodies and how complicated it is.
When I was menopausal I was able to keep everything body wise under control but when my thyroid was removed it has been a slow and steady slough to being sick constantly and the unmanageable weight gain…. I seriously can gain weight just breathing… its sad and disturbing .. but don’t dare bring up weight gain or the Endo will slap you down and say it something your doing to gain weight.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Thyroid and cortisol problem
PCOS and Thyroid problems 
Achilles tendonitis and Thyroid problems
